“That isn’t surprising,” Cyren added, “given that you weren’t attempting to carve new designs.”
Gatrielle nodded in agreement, hissing when he touched the blade. “It’s hotter than Ptholenix’s fire, that’s certain.” He shook out his blistered finger. “This isn’t a typical sacred source, so I’m not positive what to look for.”
As they studied the weapon that held all my hopes, the clock hanging at one end of the room chimed six times.
“Damien’s cock,” Tolek grumbled.
“Come on,” Erista said, “we need to get ready for the bonding ceremony. If we’re late, Barrett will never let us hear the end of it.” The Bodymelders and Cyren followed her from the room with promises to keep thinking about ways to ensure this worked.
Malakai was on their heels, grumbling about Barrett’s preparations as he cast me a worried glance. Cypherion comforted him with a reminder that he’d get hours to dance with Mila regardless of what the prince made him wear.
“Come on,apeagna,” Tolek said, dropping a kiss to my temple. “We aren’t giving up yet.”
“Not a chance in any realm,” I swore, grabbing the dagger he’d gifted me and sheathing it beside the other at my thigh, relishing in the way the metal nearly blistered my skin.
I washedand dressed quickly for the ceremony, bustling out of my room in the guest house with my waves trailing between my wings and heels echoing on tile. Tolek had gone ahead to escort Meridat at my insistence since I was almost late, but when I rounded the corner toward the foyer, I collided with Malakai.
“Oh,” I gasped. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right,” he said.
I stepped back, taking in his finely woven tunic. “You look very nice, Malakai. I’m sure Barrett will be pleased.”
“He better be. He made me try on more outfits than I could count,” Malakai grumbled. He rubbed his chest sheepishly. “Thanks, though. I was actually coming to find you.”
“Me?” I asked.
“You were running late, and you tried what you did with the blade earlier…I just thought…”
The memory of seraph and myth magic clashed through my mind. Malakai’s shaking form crumbled beneath it. I heaved as poison warped my blood.
My body is my own.
My mind is my own.
“I’m okay,” I promised, scratching at the empty Curse mark with shaking fingers. “I’m as okay as I can be.”
Malakai eyed me. “Are you sure?” He didn’t have to elaborate. Even those few words from Malakai after what we’d been through together were comforting.
“I’m sure,” I promised.
Iwasokay. At least, as okay as I had been this morning, which I thought might have been a little more okay than the morning before. By regular standards, I supposed I wasn’t okay, but attempting to imbue the blade hadn’t triggered any of those memories from Damenal and it hadn’t woken the lingering effects of Echnid’s tainted poison I was still trying to forget.
“Areyouokay?” I asked in return.
Malakai blew out a breath, offering me his arm. “Would it be bad to say I wasn’t?”
“Never.” I squeezed his wrist as we walked briskly through the front door and toward the gates of Meridat’s estate, the maroon fabric of my skirt dancing on the gentle breeze.
“I’m worried about Mila and this Reflector power. About what it means for her and the threats it could put over her head if Echnid decides he wants that, too.”
“Mila’s strong,” I assured him. “She’s been through a lot, but she’s going to keep fighting.”
“Should she trulyhaveto keep fighting, though? She’s fought enough.” He let out a humorless laugh. “Spirits, Phel, you’ve fought more than enough, too.”
My heart clenched at his words. “We all have.”
“I’m tired of us fighting,” Malakai admitted. “Someday it has to stop.”
